Expert: Mark Bornfeld DDS - 2/19/2009

Question
Hi,

My daughter will be 7 next week.  She appears to have the same mouth and teeth as me.  Her baby teeth had no spaces between them and her permanent teeth coming in are so big!  My front teeth were so overcrowded that it pushed the canines up and looked like fangs.  I ended up with 4 permanent teeth being pulled and braces.  I asked the dentist about her today at her visit.  He said she may need some intervention but he is not going to worry about it yet.  He wants her to "grow" more.  Is there a point when it would be too late to take preventative action?  Her front teeth are so wide that they pushed out all 4 baby teeth up front. And there is no room for the lateral incisors to come in.  Is it foolish to wait on this?  I have heard of jaw extenders.  Would she benefit from doing that now?

Answer
Dear Michelle,

Answers to your questions depend on a formal arch-length analysis to determine whether there is sufficient linear space in the jaws to accommodate the collective dimensions of the permanent teeth. This is something that requires a studied analysis of the x-rays-- something that cannot be done here in this forum.

Although the majority of orthodontic treatment is initiated in the late mixed-dentition stage (i.e., about age 11 or 12 in a child of normal developmental age), some children can benefit from earlier interceptive orthodontic treatment. This is particularly true if a severe malocclusion is anticipated.

If in doubt, you should consider consulting with an orthodontist-- regardless of the general dentist's guidance.

Hope this helps...

Mark Bornfeld DDS
www.dentaltwins.com
Brooklyn, NY